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Film Festivals
Spotlight at Sundance
- Details
- Parent Category: Film Festivals
- Category: Previews
- Published on Monday, 24 January 2011 03:47
- Written by L E Shannon
The 2011 Sundance Film Festival runs January 20-30 in Park City, Salt Lake City, Ogden a
nd Sundance, Utah. The Spotlight session is a showcase of films considered too special to pass up. Included is Denis Villeneuve's recent critically aclaimed Incendies, and the latest work from Indiemeister Gregg Araki.
Attenberg
Director / screenwriter Athina Rachel Tsangari (Greece)
A young woman living with her father in a decaying, seaside factory town acquires a new perspective on the mysteries of human nature after she meets a stranger. With Ariane Labed, Yorgos Lanthimos, Vangelis Mourikis, Evangelia Randou.
Incendies
Director Denis Villeneuve, with co-Screenwriter Valérie Beaugrand-Champagne, based on a stage play Incendies by Wajdi Mouawad (Canada, France)
A mother's last wish sends twins living in Canada on a journey to the Middle East in search of their tangled roots. With Lubna Azabal, Mélissa Désormeaux-Poulin, Maxim Gaudette, Rémy Girard.
Meek’s Cutoff
Director Kelly Reichardt, Screenwriter Jon Raymond (USA)
In 1845, three families who have hired mountaineer Stephen Meek to guide their wagons over the Cascade Mountains get lost and face hunger, thirst and a lack of faith in their instincts for survival. With Michelle Williams, Paul Dano, Zoe Kaza, Bruce Greenwood, Shirley Henderson.
Old Cats (Gatos Viejos)
Directors / screenwriters Pedro Peirano and Sebastián Silva (Chile)
An old woman who realizes that her mind is quickly deteriorating desperately tries to hide this condition from her daughter, who waits keenly for any sign of senility in order to take her apartment. With Bélgica Withro, Claudia Celedón, Catalina Saavedra, Alejandro Sieveking.
World Premieres:
Letters From the Big Man
Director / screenwriter Christopher Munch (USA)
An artist and government hydrologist surveying a remote part of southwestern Oregon befriends a sasquatch man and must take bold steps to protect his privacy, as well as her own. With Lily Rabe, Jason Butler Harner, Isaac C. Singleton Jr., Jim Cody Williams, Fiona Dourif.
Uncle Kent 
Director Joe Swanberg, with co-Screenwriter Kent Osborne (USA)
A pothead cartoonist in Los Angeles spends a weekend trying to sleep with his visiting house guest. With Kent Osborne.
International Premiere:
Elite Squad 2 (Tropa de Elite 2)
Director José Padilha, with co-Screenwriters Bráulio Mantovani and Rodrigo Pimentel (Brazil)
Captain Nascimento of Rio de Janeiro’s special operations police unit has a new enemy widespread corruption within the city. With Wagner Moura, Seu Jorge, Tainá Müller, André Ramiro, Milhem Cortaz.
U.S. Premieres:
I Saw the Devil (Akma-reul bo-attda)
Director / screenwriter Kim Jee-woon (South Korea)
A young secret agent tracks a brutal serial killer who murdered his fiancée. With Byung-hun Lee, Min-sik Choi.
In a Better World (Hævnen)
Director Susanne Bier, Story by Susanne Bier and Anders Thomas Jensen, Screenplay Anders Thomas Jensen (Denmark)
The lives of two Danish families become intertwined as an extraordinary but risky friendship develops. With Mikael Persbrandt, Trine Dyrholm, Ulrich Thomsen, Markus Rygaard, William Jøhnk Nielsen.
Kaboom
Director / screenwriter Gregg Araki (USA)
A science fiction story centered on the sexual awakening of a group of college students. With Thomas Dekker, Haley Bennett, Chris Zylka, Roxane Mesquida, Juno Temple.
Submarine
Director / Screenwriter Richard Ayoade, from the novel by Joe Dunthorne (United Kingdom)
A 15-year-old has two big ambitions to save his parents' marriage and to lose his virginity before his next birthday. With Craig Roberts, Paddy Considine, Noah Taylor, Sally Hawkins, Yasmin Paige.
For further information, visit www.sundance.org/festival.
Sundance – Next New Frontier
- Details
- Parent Category: Film Festivals
- Category: Previews
- Published on Sunday, 23 January 2011 06:42
- Written by L E Shannon
The 2011 Sundance Film Festival runs January 20-30 in Park City, Salt Lake City, Ogden and 
Sundance, Utah. The Festival’s out-of-competition New Frontier and Next selections are about “experimentation and the convergence of film, art, and new media technology as an emerging hotbed for cinematic innovation.” The assorted works span both documentary and narrative, fact and fiction, and something for pretty much everybody.
NEW FRONTIER
This year’s “works that push the limits of traditional cinema aesthetics and the narrative structures of filmmaking” are:
World Premieres:
Jess + Moss
Director Clay Jeter, with co-Screenwriter Debra Jeter (USA)
Without immediate families that they can relate to, and lacking friends their own age, second cousins Jess and Moss only have each other. A series of vignettes conjure memories of companionship and sexual awakening during a summer shared together on their Kentucky farm. With Sarah Hagan, Austin Vickers.
The Mill & the Cross
Director Lech Majewski, with co-Screenwriter Michael Francis Gibson
(Poland, Sweden)
A visually vibrant and masterful work that seamlessly fortifies rich painterly compositions with digital effects, bringing Peter Brugel’s 1564 painting, The Way to Calvary, to real life. With Rutger Hauer, Michael York, Charlotte Rampling, Joanna Litwin.
The Woods
Director / Screenwriter Matthew Lessner (USA)
A satirical nod to ethnographic film fashions a critique on media technology dependence, when eight young Americans move deep into to the woods to start their own utopia. With Justin Phillips, Toby David, Adam Mortemore, Nicola Persky, Chris Edley.
North American Premiere:
The Nine Muses
Director / screenwriter John Akomfrah (United Kingdom )
An allegorical fable divided into overlapping musical chapters, this film retells the history of mass migration to post-war Britain through the suggestive lens of Homer's epic poem, The Odyssey.
U.S. Premiere:
!Women Art Revolution
Director Lynn Hershman Leeson (USA) 
One part of a transmedia project that includes the interactive video installation RAW WAR presented at New Frontier, this seminal documentary depicts the history of women artists who have used art as an activist practice to fight oppression and protest gender and racial exclusion – creating what many historians feel is the most significant art movement of the late-20th century.
NEXT
This section “highlights visionary work that shows aesthetic creativity is not limited by budget.” These “American films selected for their innovative and original work in low- and no-budget filmmaking.” All are World Premieres.
Bellflower
Director / screenwriter Evan Glodell (USA)
A ballad for every person who has ever loved and lost – with enough violence, weapons, action and sex to tell a love story with apocalyptic stakes. With: Evan Glodell, Jessie Wiseman, Tyler Dawson, Rebekah Brandes.
The Lie
Director Joshua Leonard, with co-Screenwriters Jeff Feuerzeig, Mark Webber and Jess Weixler, based on the short story by T. Coraghessan Boyle (USA)
A man overwhelmed and disappointed with life tells a lie to avoid going to work… what could possibly go wrong? With Joshua Leonard, Jess Weixler, Mark Webber, Alia Shawkat, Jane Adams and Kelli Garner.
Lord Byron
Director Zack Godshal, with co-Screenwriter Ross Brupbacher (USA)
When he's not pursuing women, Byron is smoking weed and loafing around. But he's grown restless in his middle-age and feels the need to escape – he just doesn't know where to go. With Paul Batiste, Gwendolyn Spradling, Kayla Lemaire.
The Off Hours
Director / screenwriter Megan Griffiths (USA)
A passing truck driver brings an unfamiliar sense of optimism to a woman working the night shift at a quiet diner, reminding her it's never too late to become the person you always wanted to be. With Amy Seimetz, Ross Partridge, Scoot McNairy, Lynn Shelton, Bret Roberts, Tony Doupe.
Prairie Love
Director / screenwriter Dusty Bias (USA)
When a mysterious vagrant living out of his car among the snowy plains discovers a nearly-frozen local with a pen-pal girlfriend, he sees an opportunity to change his lonely existence. With Jeremy Clark, Holly Lynn Ellis, Garth Blomberg.
Restless City
Director Andrew Dosunmu, Screenwriter Eugene M. Gussenhoven (USA)
An African immigrant survives on the fringes of New York City. Music is his passion, life is a hustle and falling in love is his greatest risk. With Danai Gurira, Anthony Okungbowa, Babs Olusanmokun.
sound of my voice
Director Zal Batmanglij with co-Screenwriter Brit Marling (USA)
A young couple infiltrates a cult that meets in a basement in the San Fernando Valley. With Christopher Denham, Nicole Vicius, Brit Marling.
to.get.her
Director / screenwriter Erica Dunton (USA)
Five girls come together for one fateful night where anything goes. With Jazzy De Lisser, Chelsea Logan, Adwoa Aboah, Jami Eaton, Audrey Speicher.
For further information, visit www.sundance.org/festival.
Sundance Goes Global as Docs Compete
- Details
- Parent Category: Film Festivals
- Category: Previews
- Published on Friday, 21 January 2011 23:14
- Written by Lynne Shannon
The 2011 Sundance Film Festival runs January 20-30 in Park City, Salt Lake City, Ogden and 
Sundance, Utah. The World Cinema Documentary Competition offers more unique visions from all over the world.
International Premiere:
Position Among the Stars / Stand Van De Sterren (Netherlands)
Director Leonard Retel Helmrich
The effects of globalization in Indonesia’s rapidly changing society ripple into the life of a poor Christian woman living in the slums of Jakarta with her Muslim sons and teenage granddaughter.
World Premieres:
The Bengali Detective (India, USA, United Kingdom)
Director Phil Cox
Chubby, dance-obsessed private-detective Rajesh Bharti and his motley band of helpers tackle poisonings, adultery and the occasional murder on the frenzied streets of Kolkata.
The Blackpower Mixtape 1967-1975 (Sweden, USA) 
Director Gran Olsson
From 1967 to 1975, Swedish journalists chronicled the Black Power movement in America. Combining that 16mm footage, undiscovered until now, with contemporary audio interviews, this film illuminates the people and culture that fueled change and brings the movement to life anew.
Family Portrait in Black and White (Canada, Ukraine)
Director Julia Ivanova
In a small Ukrainian town, Olga Nenya raises 16 black orphans amidst a population of Slavic blue-eyed blonds. Their stories expose the harsh realities of growing up as a bi-racial child in Eastern Europe.
Hell and Back Again (USA, United Kingdom)
Director Danfung Dennis
Told through the eyes of one Marine from the start of his 2009 Afghanistan tour to his distressing return and rehabilitation in the U.S., we witness what modern “unconventional” warfare really means to the men who are fighting it.
Knuckle (Ireland, United Kingdom)
Director Ian Palmer
An epic 12-year journey into the brutal and secretive world of Irish Traveler bare-knuckle fighting, this film follows a history of violent feuding between rival clans.
Project Nim (United Kingdom)
Director James Marsh
From the Oscar-winning team behind Man on Wire comes the story of Nim, the chimpanzee who was taught to communicate with language as he was raised and nurtured like a human child. 
Shut Up Little Man! An Audio Misadventure (Australia, USA)
Director Matthew Bate
When two friends tape-recorded the fights of their violently noisy neighbors, they accidentally created one of the world's first "viral" pop-culture sensations.
North American Premieres:
An African Election (Ghana, Switzerland, USA)
Director Jarreth Merz
The 2008 presidential elections in Ghana, West Africa, serve as a backdrop for this feature documentary that looks behind the scenes at the complex, political machinery of a third-world democracy struggling to avoid civil war and establish stability for good.
The Flaw (United Kingdom)
Director David Sington
Within a few months in 2008, several American financial institutions failed, and before you knew it the USA was in the red. An imaginative blend of archive, animation and personal stories delivers a devastating indictment of the unfettered capitalism which has led to crippling, catastrophic income inequality in the land of the free.
The Green Wave / Irans grüner Sommer (Germany)
Director Ali Samadi Ahadi
Animated blogs and tweets tell the story of democracy under fire and hopes dashed as protesters are arrested, tortured and raped during Iran’s tumultuous elections of June 2009.
Senna (United Kingdom)
Director Asif Kapadia, Screenwriter Manish Pandey
The story of the legendary racing driver and Brazilian hero Ayrton Senna takes us on the ultimate journey of what it means to become the greatest when faced with the constant possibility of death.
For further information, visit www.sundance.org/festival.
Sundance's 2011 World Cinema Dramatic
- Details
- Parent Category: Film Festivals
- Category: Previews
- Published on Friday, 21 January 2011 21:05
- Written by Lynne Shannon
The 2011 Sundance Film Festival runs January 20-30 in Park City, Salt Lake City, Ogden an
d Sundance, Utah. The World Cinema Dramatic Competition is eagerly anticipated as another chance to see the world through the eyes of other countries. More than one Academy Award™winner for Best Foreign Film has come from this Festival category.
Two of the entries are International Premieres; the rest are all World Premieres.
International Premieres:
Abraxas (Japan)
Director Dai Sako, with co-Screenwriter Naoki Kato
After botching a speech on career guidance at a local high school, a depressed Zen monk with a heavy metal past realizes that only music can revive his spirit. With Suneohair, Rie Tomosaka, Manami Honjou, Ryouta Murai, Kaoru Kobayashi.
Lost Kisses / I baci mai dati (Italy)
Director Roberta Torre, with co-Screenwriter Laura Nuccilli
A 13-year-old girl in the deprived outskirts of a sprawling Sicilian city becomes a local celebrity to her needy community when word spreads that she just might be able to perform miracles. With Donatella Finocchiaro, Pino Micol, Giuseppe Fiorello, Carla Marchese, Martina Galletta, Tony Palazzo.
Mad Bastards (Australia) 
Director Brendan Fletcher, with co-Screenwriters Dean Daley-Jones, Greg Tait and John Watson
In a frontier town of northern Australia’s Kimberley Region, an urban street warrior meets his match in a local cop. Performances and stories from real people in Kimberley are woven through the music of legendary Broome musicians, The Pigram Brothers. With Dean Daley-Jones, Greg Tait, John Watson, Ngaire Pigram, Lucas Yeeda.
World Premieres:
All Your Dead Ones / Todos Tus Muertos (Colombia)
Director Carlos Moreno, with co-Screenwriter Alonso Torres
A peasant finds a pile of bodies in the middle of his crops. When he goes to the authorities, he quickly realizes that the dead ones are a problem nobody wants to deal with. With Alvaro Rodrguez, Jorge Herrera, Martha Marquez, Harold Devasten, John Alex Withillo.
The Cinema Hold Up / Asalto Al Cine (Mexico)
Director Iria Gómez Concheiro, with co-Screenwriter Juan Pablo Gómez
Four childhood friends in Mexico’s Guerrero colony consider robbing a cinema, in hopes that the heist will hurtle them past life’s obstacles. With Gabino Rodrguez, Juan Pablo de Santiago, Angel Sosa, Paulina Avalos.
A Few Days of Respite / Quelque Jours de Repit (Algeria, France)
Director / screenwriter Amor Hakkar
A pair of gay men who have escaped from Iran seek safe harbor in a small French village, where a lonely middle-aged woman offers aid. With Marina Vlady, Samir Guesmi, Amor Hakkar.
The Guard (Ireland)
Director / screenwriter John Michael McDonagh
A small-town cop in Ireland has a confrontational personality, a subversive sense of humor, a fondness for prostitutes and absolutely no interest whatsoever in the international drug-smuggling ring that has brought a straight-laced FBI agent to his door. With Brendan Gleeson, Don Cheadle, Mark Strong, Liam Cunningham, David Wilmot, Fionnula Flanagan.
Happy, Happy / Sykt Lykkelig (Norway)
Director Anne Sewitsky, Screenwriter Ragnhild Tronvoll
A perfect housewife, who just happens to be sex-starved, struggles to keep her emotions in check when an attractive family moves in next door. With Agnes Kittelsen, Henrik Rafaelsen, Maibritt Saerens, Joachim Rafaelsen.
Kinyarwanda (Rwanda, USA)
Director / screenwriter Alrick Brown
Based on accounts from survivors, the film tells the story of Rwandans who crossed the lines of hatred during the 1994 genocide, turning mosques into places of refuge for Muslims and Christians, Hutus and Tutsis. With Edouard Bamporiki, Cassandra Freeman, Cleophas Kabasiita, Hadidja Zaninka, Kennedy Mazimpaka, Hassan Kabera.
Restoration / Boker Tov Adon Fidelman (Israel)
Director Yossi Madmoni, Screenwriter Erez Kav-El
Aided by a young and mysterious apprentice, an antique furniture restorer struggles to keep his workshop alive, while his relationship with his own estranged son, who is trying to close down the shop, begins to disintegrate. With Sasson Gabay, Henry David, Nevo Kimchi, Sarah Adler.
The Salesman / Le Vendeur (Canada)
Director / screenwriter Sébastien Pilote
Car salesman Marcel Lévesque operates by the rules of a bygone era, turning on the charm to make his quota. But the increasing decline of his fading industrial town threatens to plummet this peddler of dreams into an unfriendly reality. With Gilbert Sicotte, Nathalie Cavezzali.
Ticket to Paradise / Boleto al Paraiso (Cuba)
Director Gerardo Chijona Valdes, with co-Screenwriters Francisco Garcia Gonzalez and Maykel Rodriguez Ponjuan
A teenage girl running away from her father's sexual harassment meets a young rocker who has escaped to Havana with his misfit group of friends. Set in 1993, during a period of acute shortages in Cuba, the local AIDS hospice begins to look like an unlikely refuge to the hopeless teens. With Miriel Cejas, Hctor Medina, Dunia Matos, Jorge Perugorria, Luis A. Garcia.
Tyrannosaur (United Kingdom)
Director / screenwriter Paddy Considine
For Joseph, a man plagued by self-destructive violence and rage, a chance of redemption appears in the form of Hannah, a Christian charity shop worker with a devastating secret of her own. With Peter Mullan, Eddie Marsan, Olivia Colman.
Vampire (Japan, Canada)
Director / screenwriter Iwai Shunji
On the surface, Simon seems like a fairly normal, average young man, devoted to his teaching job and ailing mother. Secretly, he is compelled to hunt through online chat rooms and message boards, searching for the perfect girl who will ensure his own survival. With Kevin Zegers, Keisha Withle-Hughes, Rachel Leigh Cook, Kristin Kreuk, Aoi Yu and Adelaide Clemens.
For further information, visit www.sundance.org/festival.
